Summary of the Drama All My Sons/Class 12: Opt. English

All My Sons 

                            - Arthur Miller

Summary: 

Joe Keller, a successful businessman, lives happily with his wife, Kate and son, Chris, in a suburban American neighbourhood. They have one matter of sadness in their lives, and the sadness is the loss of their other son, Larry, who has lost in World War II. After three years, Kate still clings to the hope that her son is alive. Christ convinces his mother to give up that hope because he wants to marry Ann, an old neighbour and Larry's former fiancée, who is now in relationship with him.

Ann arrives. After knowing the purpose of Ann’s visit, Kate becomes sensitive. After this, we readers know that Ann's father, Steve Dever is in prison for a crime that he committed while working in Joe's manufacturing company during the time of the Second World War. At that time, he approved some defective machine parts and sold them to the air force of the US. But unfortunately, that caused the death of 21 pilots during the war. He father was just an employee in that company. He had done all according to Joe's order. But he escaped himself from that charge and trapped Steve in that case. Keller's family even has a doubt about Annie and her revenge for her father. But Annie assures Keller's family saying that she and her brother George are not in touch with their father.

Shortly after Ann's arrival, her brother George Deever comes to Keller’s house being aggressive after visiting their father in prison. After meeting his father, he informs his father that he is going to meet Keller's family. Ann is so afraid about the arrival of her brother there. Kate reminds Joe to be ready to answer George's questions. Both Chris and Dr. Jim (a close friend to the Keller family) try their best to make him calm. George blames Joe alleging varieties of things. According to George, Joe is the main person, who has sent his father to prison. He blames Joe for approving the defective parts of planes and pretending to be sick. He wants to know the reason behind all his bad acts. But he doesn't get his answers from Joe and leaves the house being furious. Ann also follows her brother and moves out. George orders his sister not to marry Chris, the son of the man who has destroyed their family. But she wants to marry Chris not matter what happens.

Next day, Chris comes back and finds Ann. Annie shows her desire of marrying Chris, but Kate refuses her proposal. After this, due to Kate’s objection for their marriage, she is compelled to reveal Larry’s suicide note to Kate as a means of proving that Larry is dead. In the letter, Larry has revealed his the purpose of committing suicide because of his father’s shameful act. Then Joe becomes quite emotional and accepts his guilt for killing all 22 pilots including his son Larry and sending innocent Steve to prison for his greed. He admits all the soldiers as "All My Sons". After accepting his guilt, Joe moves inside to get his coat and kills himself with a gunshot. After this, Chris runs inside and comes out in tears shortly. Finally, his mother tells him not to blame himself and take his life forward with Ann far away from the town.